A scene from the dance drama Bing's Words. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

Nantong, Jiangsu province, kicked off this year's drama season at intimate theaters in Chongchuan district on Aug 13 with a performance of the dance drama Bing's Words.

Bing's Words is the first dance drama in China about the incurable disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Inspired by Ge Min, a dancer from Nantong who is currently battling ALS, the drama tells the story of a successful dancer, Bai Bing, and her battle with ALS.

A scene from the dance drama Bing's Words. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

Organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Nantong Municipal Committee and the Nantong municipal bureau of culture, broadcasting, television, and tourism, the drama season will run until Sept 7.

From next week, the Nantong Art Theater is scheduled to host Cherry Orchard, Hello! Chekhov, and Seven-Day Confession, while the Rugao Puppet Art Troupe is set to perform The Postman from Buluo Town on Fridays and Saturdays.

Audience members wait for the dance drama Bing's Words. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

Fan Xiaoping, deputy director of the Nantong Art Theater, commented that the lasting success of a theatrical production is intricately linked with market forces.

She also mentioned that the aforementioned four dramas seamlessly align with the core mission of the theater, bringing more outstanding dramas and plays to local citizens.

Nantong in recent years has been focusing on the establishment of intimate theaters, and as of 2023, the city was home to 198 such theaters, with three receiving provincial recognition.